Liam J Stratton
Currently working as Script Editor for Series 11 of ITV's Vera.
At Lime Pictures, I was lead on over sixteen projects, varying from Young Adult to Primetime. It's been a lot of fun and I have done some great work that I am incredibly proud of. Sourcing and working with some fantastic writers, building concepts and pitches from the ground up, working on original IP and adaptations. And of course, building and maintaining relationships with agents and commissioners. A number of concepts are now in paid development with a number of broadcasters.
Prior to my time at Lime, I worked as a Script Editor on Doctors (BBC ONE). This involved commissioning writers for episodes, two blocks (of six) at a time. I worked with each writer to get their “Story of the Day” pitches approved and then give notes on each of the six drafts, working towards a high-quality episode.
Before Doctors, I worked as a Script Editor on Casualty (BBC ONE) where I was a Script Editor for two years and was proud to work on three out of the four episodes that earned Casualty as BAFTA in 2018.
From 2011-2016 I worked in South Africa for five years in various creative roles, across a number of local series. I was Lead Writer on “Isidingo” SABC3’s daily soap, Series Script Editor on Nigeria’s premier soap, “Tinsel” as well as working as a Story Consultant, Scriptwriter, Storyliner and Script Editor across other productions. As a Development Producer, I also worked on a number of original pitches/formats, one of which, a sitcom, was commissioned by SABC1 and ran for two series.
At Lime Pictures, I was lead on over sixteen projects, varying from Young Adult to Primetime. It's been a lot of fun and I have done some great work that I am incredibly proud of. Sourcing and working with some fantastic writers, building concepts and pitches from the ground up, working on original IP and adaptations. And of course, building and maintaining relationships with agents and commissioners. A number of concepts are now in paid development with a number of broadcasters.
Prior to my time at Lime, I worked as a Script Editor on Doctors (BBC ONE). This involved commissioning writers for episodes, two blocks (of six) at a time. I worked with each writer to get their “Story of the Day” pitches approved and then give notes on each of the six drafts, working towards a high-quality episode.
Before Doctors, I worked as a Script Editor on Casualty (BBC ONE) where I was a Script Editor for two years and was proud to work on three out of the four episodes that earned Casualty as BAFTA in 2018.
From 2011-2016 I worked in South Africa for five years in various creative roles, across a number of local series. I was Lead Writer on “Isidingo” SABC3’s daily soap, Series Script Editor on Nigeria’s premier soap, “Tinsel” as well as working as a Story Consultant, Scriptwriter, Storyliner and Script Editor across other productions. As a Development Producer, I also worked on a number of original pitches/formats, one of which, a sitcom, was commissioned by SABC1 and ran for two series.
Manchester and Lancashire
julie@kitsonpress.co.uk
http://kitsonpress.co.uk/
http://kitsonpress.co.uk/
VERA (ITV/Silverprint Pictures) – SERIES SCRIPT EDITOR (Series 11/12/13)
Aug 2020 – Present
Commissioning writers for each episode and developing their stories with them. Working across several scripts, from pitch to production as part of the Editorial Team to represent the interests of the writer. Ensuring that notes from principal cast, director, network, production and advisers are delivered on each draft so that the writer has all they need to complete their editorial brief. To ensure each script meets the high standards of the show and serves both guest and serial stories effectively. Writers that I have worked with include, Paul Matthew Thompson, Paul Logue, Colette Kane, Michael Bhim, Sally Abbott.
LIME PICTURES – SENIOR SCRIPT EDITOR (DRAMA DEVELOPMENT – PRIMETIME/YA)
Jul 2019 – July 2020
Project Manager on over sixteen projects on the Lime Slate ENCOMPASSING Young Adult, Cosy Crime, Family Drama and Primetime. Compiling writer lists (communicating with agents/writers) for book/podcast/stage adaptions, as well as working on original IP. Working with writers to produce high standard pitch documents/treatments with considered and detailed consultation through an organised draft process. Script Editing pilot episodes/scripts across several drafts to adhere to commissioner/channel/inhouse notes. Developing and maintaining positive relationships with writers, agents, producers, directors and other talent.
Doctors (BBC1) – SCRIPT EDITOR (Series 20/21 – 36x30’ Eps)
Nov 2018 – July 2019
Commissioning writers for each episode. Working across several scripts, from pitch to production as part of the Editorial Team to represent the interests of the writer. Ensuring that notes are delivered on each of the six drafts so that the writer has all they need to complete their editorial brief. To ensure each script meets the high standards of the show and serves both guest and serial stories effectively. Developing story of the day ideas with writers and pitching those to the Series Producer.
Casualty (BBC1) – SCRIPT EDITOR (Series 31, 32, 33 – 29x48’ Eps)
Oct 2016 – Oct 2018
Working across several scripts, from pitch to production as part of the Editorial Team to represent the interests of the writer. Ensuring that notes are delivered on each of the six drafts so that the writer has all they need to complete their editorial brief. To ensure that each script meets the high standards of the show and serves both guest and serial stories effectively. Maintaining a good relationship between the production team, director and cast. I have developed a solid professional relationship with the amazing new and existing writers that work on the show. As well as working two writers through Casualty’s shadow scheme and into their first commission, I was also SCRIPT EDITOR on three of the four episodes submitted to BAFTA, which lead to a win for Best Continuing Drama or Soap, 2018 including the “Sharon Gless” special episode.
I worked in South Africa for five years, across a number of local productions, as well as developing my own work. A summary of my five years’ work is below.
Isidingo (SABC3) – HEAD WRITER (DAILY SOAP 150x30’ Eps)
Apr ‘13 – Nov ‘13
Creative lead on daily South African soap. Managing Editorial Team. Filling the role of Lead Writer that encompassed Story/Script Producer and Lead Storyliner. Creation/development of five years of storylines, writing/rewriting scripts, to ensure the high standards of the show were adhered to. Commissioning new writers as well as working with established ones. Maintaining a good relationship between script, story and production. Writing TX Scenes. Overseeing PR/Marketing materials around the show. Meeting Product Placement creative challenges.
Tinsel (MNet Africa) – SERIES SCRIPT EDITOR/WRITER (DAILY SOAP 260x30’)
Jan ‘12 – Dec ‘12
Working with the Head Writer of Nigeria’s premier daily soap on ensuring that writers have fulfilled their editorial briefs across several drafts. Rewriting failing scripts, reworking storylines. Also, writer of two full episodes.
Let Heaven Wait (SABC3) – LEAD WRITER (SITCOM 6x30’ Eps)
May ’12 – Aug ‘12
Storylining, Scriptwriting and Script Editing all scripts in six-part series.
A Clean Break (Mzansi Magic) – CREATOR/WRITER (MINI-SERIES 5x1hr Eps)
Aug ‘12 – Jan ‘13
Working with a head writer to create and develop a story and scripts that meet the brief of an African language channel. Five-part mini-series.
iThuba Lokugcina (SABC1) – CREATOR/WRITER (SITCOM 10x30’ Eps)
Aug ‘14 – Jan ‘15
Developed a concept of a University based sitcom from pitch to production. Writer of two episodes.
Rhythm City (eTV) – WRITER/STORY CONSULTANT (DAILY SOAP 34x30’ Eps)
Feb ‘13 – Mar ‘13
Attending story meetings, pitching/developing storyline ideas, consulting on new stories, characters and ideas for a daily soap. Writer of several episodes.
Skwisa’s (SABC2) – WRITER (SITCOM 4x30’ Eps)
Dec ‘13 – Feb ’14
Development of storylines and writer for three episodes of studio-based sitcom.
Improvable Cause (SABC3) – WRITER/CREATOR (LIVE IMPRO-COMEDY – PILOT x15’)
Jan ’12- Dec ’15
One host, four participants and a live band. Fully improvised comedy show.
Agingedwa (SABC1) – DEVELOPMENT PRODUCER (REALITY 10X48’)
Feb ‘15 – Aug ‘15
Creation/development of a doccie/reality concept, focusing on addiction and fears for a national broadcaster.
Anglo American Platinum – writer (CORPORATE VIDEO x15’)
Aug ‘14
Development of an “everyman” video to conveyquarterly results and explain the ‘smelting’ process.
Aqua Online – Copywriter/Creative (ADVERTISING/MARKETING)
Feb ‘12 – ‘13
Across high profile brands, on various platforms, creating copy and concepts for campaigns.
The Englishman.. (Bakgat Roadio)- Writer/Presenter (RADIO SHOW)
Jan ‘12 – Apr ‘12
Scripting/presenting online radio show. Selecting playlists, sourcing and interviewing guests.
Aug 2020 – Present
Commissioning writers for each episode and developing their stories with them. Working across several scripts, from pitch to production as part of the Editorial Team to represent the interests of the writer. Ensuring that notes from principal cast, director, network, production and advisers are delivered on each draft so that the writer has all they need to complete their editorial brief. To ensure each script meets the high standards of the show and serves both guest and serial stories effectively. Writers that I have worked with include, Paul Matthew Thompson, Paul Logue, Colette Kane, Michael Bhim, Sally Abbott.
LIME PICTURES – SENIOR SCRIPT EDITOR (DRAMA DEVELOPMENT – PRIMETIME/YA)
Jul 2019 – July 2020
Project Manager on over sixteen projects on the Lime Slate ENCOMPASSING Young Adult, Cosy Crime, Family Drama and Primetime. Compiling writer lists (communicating with agents/writers) for book/podcast/stage adaptions, as well as working on original IP. Working with writers to produce high standard pitch documents/treatments with considered and detailed consultation through an organised draft process. Script Editing pilot episodes/scripts across several drafts to adhere to commissioner/channel/inhouse notes. Developing and maintaining positive relationships with writers, agents, producers, directors and other talent.
Doctors (BBC1) – SCRIPT EDITOR (Series 20/21 – 36x30’ Eps)
Nov 2018 – July 2019
Commissioning writers for each episode. Working across several scripts, from pitch to production as part of the Editorial Team to represent the interests of the writer. Ensuring that notes are delivered on each of the six drafts so that the writer has all they need to complete their editorial brief. To ensure each script meets the high standards of the show and serves both guest and serial stories effectively. Developing story of the day ideas with writers and pitching those to the Series Producer.
Casualty (BBC1) – SCRIPT EDITOR (Series 31, 32, 33 – 29x48’ Eps)
Oct 2016 – Oct 2018
Working across several scripts, from pitch to production as part of the Editorial Team to represent the interests of the writer. Ensuring that notes are delivered on each of the six drafts so that the writer has all they need to complete their editorial brief. To ensure that each script meets the high standards of the show and serves both guest and serial stories effectively. Maintaining a good relationship between the production team, director and cast. I have developed a solid professional relationship with the amazing new and existing writers that work on the show. As well as working two writers through Casualty’s shadow scheme and into their first commission, I was also SCRIPT EDITOR on three of the four episodes submitted to BAFTA, which lead to a win for Best Continuing Drama or Soap, 2018 including the “Sharon Gless” special episode.
I worked in South Africa for five years, across a number of local productions, as well as developing my own work. A summary of my five years’ work is below.
Isidingo (SABC3) – HEAD WRITER (DAILY SOAP 150x30’ Eps)
Apr ‘13 – Nov ‘13
Creative lead on daily South African soap. Managing Editorial Team. Filling the role of Lead Writer that encompassed Story/Script Producer and Lead Storyliner. Creation/development of five years of storylines, writing/rewriting scripts, to ensure the high standards of the show were adhered to. Commissioning new writers as well as working with established ones. Maintaining a good relationship between script, story and production. Writing TX Scenes. Overseeing PR/Marketing materials around the show. Meeting Product Placement creative challenges.
Tinsel (MNet Africa) – SERIES SCRIPT EDITOR/WRITER (DAILY SOAP 260x30’)
Jan ‘12 – Dec ‘12
Working with the Head Writer of Nigeria’s premier daily soap on ensuring that writers have fulfilled their editorial briefs across several drafts. Rewriting failing scripts, reworking storylines. Also, writer of two full episodes.
Let Heaven Wait (SABC3) – LEAD WRITER (SITCOM 6x30’ Eps)
May ’12 – Aug ‘12
Storylining, Scriptwriting and Script Editing all scripts in six-part series.
A Clean Break (Mzansi Magic) – CREATOR/WRITER (MINI-SERIES 5x1hr Eps)
Aug ‘12 – Jan ‘13
Working with a head writer to create and develop a story and scripts that meet the brief of an African language channel. Five-part mini-series.
iThuba Lokugcina (SABC1) – CREATOR/WRITER (SITCOM 10x30’ Eps)
Aug ‘14 – Jan ‘15
Developed a concept of a University based sitcom from pitch to production. Writer of two episodes.
Rhythm City (eTV) – WRITER/STORY CONSULTANT (DAILY SOAP 34x30’ Eps)
Feb ‘13 – Mar ‘13
Attending story meetings, pitching/developing storyline ideas, consulting on new stories, characters and ideas for a daily soap. Writer of several episodes.
Skwisa’s (SABC2) – WRITER (SITCOM 4x30’ Eps)
Dec ‘13 – Feb ’14
Development of storylines and writer for three episodes of studio-based sitcom.
Improvable Cause (SABC3) – WRITER/CREATOR (LIVE IMPRO-COMEDY – PILOT x15’)
Jan ’12- Dec ’15
One host, four participants and a live band. Fully improvised comedy show.
Agingedwa (SABC1) – DEVELOPMENT PRODUCER (REALITY 10X48’)
Feb ‘15 – Aug ‘15
Creation/development of a doccie/reality concept, focusing on addiction and fears for a national broadcaster.
Anglo American Platinum – writer (CORPORATE VIDEO x15’)
Aug ‘14
Development of an “everyman” video to conveyquarterly results and explain the ‘smelting’ process.
Aqua Online – Copywriter/Creative (ADVERTISING/MARKETING)
Feb ‘12 – ‘13
Across high profile brands, on various platforms, creating copy and concepts for campaigns.
The Englishman.. (Bakgat Roadio)- Writer/Presenter (RADIO SHOW)
Jan ‘12 – Apr ‘12
Scripting/presenting online radio show. Selecting playlists, sourcing and interviewing guests.
Comedy, Film, Online writing, Radio, Scripted reality, Short story, Television, Theatre
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